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The United States has cut off intelligence-sharing with Kyiv in a move that could seriously hamper the Ukrainian military’s ability to target Russian forces, the head of the CIA has confirmed.
Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News: “Trump had a real question about whether President Zelensky was committed to the peace process, and he said let’s pause… So I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen, I think will go away.”
At Prime Minister’s Questions, MPs asked Sir Keir Starmer about reports that the US had barred the UK from sharing intelligence with Ukraine, questioning whether Donald Trump could still be seen as a “reliable ally”.
The PM said: “I’ve always been clear that we need to ensure that the US, the UK, Europe and Ukraine are working together, but we must not choose between the US and Europe. We never have historically, and we’re not going to do so now.”
The Ukrainian president bowed to intense pressure from President Trump after the US suspended all military aid to Kyiv, pledging to enter peace talks as he desperately tried to salvage the situation.
Sources have told The Independent that Ukraine’s supplies of US Patriot missiles could leave it unable to defend itself in a matter of days.
Spy chief optimistic suspension will soon be ended
The head of the CIA has expressed hope that the suspension in intelligence-sharing with Kyiv will soon be lifted.
CIA director John Ratcliffe emphasised his commitment to working with Ukraine towards achieving peace, following a letter from the Ukrainian president to Trump, CNN reports.
“And I think we’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that’s there, put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward,” he added.
Jane Dalton5 March 2025 14:14
Kyiv legally barred from talks with Putin, says Russia
A Ukrainian decree from 2022 ruling out negotiations with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin raises the question of who could sit at the table in potential peace talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “is still legally prohibited from negotiating with the Russian side,” Mr Peskov noted.
He said it was “positive” that Zelenskyy expressed readiness on Tuesday to negotiate peace with Russia as soon as possible. “But the details have not changed yet,” Mr Peskov added, apparently referring to the Ukrainian decree.
Neither Ukrainian nor Western officials have recently mentioned the September 2022 presidential decree, signed seven months after Russia’s cross-border invasion, in the context of Donald Trump’s efforts to stop the fighting.
Jane Dalton5 March 2025 14:05
Head of CIA confirms US has put intelligence-sharing on hold
The head of the CIA has confirmed that the US has suspended intelligence support and weapons shipments to Ukraine.
Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News: “Trump had a real question about whether President Zelensky was committed to the peace process, and he said let’s pause.
“I want to give a chance to think about that and you saw the response that President Zelensky put out,” Mr Ratcliffe said. “So I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen, I think will go away.”
Jane Dalton5 March 2025 13:52
Watch: Keir Starmer has subtle dig at JD Vance
The prime minister made a point to JD Vance by paying tribute to the hundreds of British soldiers who died in Afghanistan and Iraq, after the US vice-president suggested Britain had not fought a war in more than 30 years.
Keir Starmer makes dig at JD Vance during PMQs after controversial war claim
Sir Keir Starmer opened Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 5 March — his first since Donald Trump’s explosive meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky — with a dig at JD Vance by paying tribute to the hundreds of British soldiers who died in Afghanistan and Iraq. It comes after the US vice president suggested Britain hadn’t fought a war in more than 30 years. Mr Vance was accused of erasing the experiences of Britons who served in Iraq and Afghanistan after his latest tirade against America’s European allies. Speaking about the 642 soldiers who died, Sir Keir said: “We will never forget their bravery and their sacrifice.”
Jane Dalton5 March 2025 13:39
Archbishop of York calls for prayer and solidarity with Ukraine
The Archbishop of York has assured the people and churches of Ukraine of the prayers and solidarity of the Church of England this Lent.
Calling for a just and lasting peace that protects the sovereignty, security and freedom of Ukraine and its people, the Archbishop affirmed the role of Ukraine’s churches in striving for peace.
The Archbishop also called for prayer for the Church of England Diocese in Europe, which includes Ukraine and Russia.
Jabed Ahmed5 March 2025 13:34
British ex-soldier jailed for 19 years in Russia for fighting for Ukraine
Jane Dalton5 March 2025 13:34
Irish leader promises to tell Trump Ukraine must have peace
Irish premier Micheal Martin has committed to raising Ireland’s views on Ukraine and Gaza when he meets US president Donald Trump next week.
The taoiseach is due to have a bilateral meeting with Mr Trump next week as part of an annual tradition to mark the week of Ireland’s national holiday, St Patrick’s Day.
Mr Martin said Ireland would express a desire for a “durable and sustainable” peace in Ukraine, as well as a consolidation of the ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
He said: “In terms of the core issues, the economic relationship is very important. We’re an open, small economy, pro-free trade and I’ll be articulating that perspective.
“We will also articulate views in relation to Ukraine and in relation to the Middle East also.”
Jane Dalton5 March 2025 13:28
UK will do everything to back Kyiv on security, No 10 pledges
Downing Street says Britain will do all it can to back Ukraine on security.
Asked about reports that the US has cut off intelligence to Ukraine and whether Britain would be allowed to pass on American intelligence to Kyiv, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It does remain a long-standing position not to comment on intelligence, but what I would say is that we have been clear previously that we will do everything to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position across all aspects of our support, particularly around defence and security, and that position hasn’t changed.”
Jane Dalton5 March 2025 13:22